Introduction & History of Squash

1. Introduction & History of Squash • Squash also known as Squash Racquets may have originated in ancient Greece. • Version of squash was played in the prisons of England during the late 18th century. • Popular in English schools of the nobility during the nineteenth century.

2. Ease of Learning Squash • A booklet titled Basic Squash for Beginners published by the Canadian Squash Racquets Association states that "squash is easy to learn". • Squash hand ball & tennis are probably most difficult hand racquet sports to play. • More difficult to introduce than racquetball and is not as popular as racquetball.

3. Factors Contributing to Squash Difficulty • Racquet length • Distance between and and racquet face. • Racquet face size • Ball size • Court dimension restrictions

4. Squash Racquet • Racquets (about 8 ounces) are in a variety of shapes, and grips and tensions. • Cost is from 20 to 30 dollars and up. • Racquets come in different weights, balances and materials. • Metal head racquets are not permitted because of potential wall damage.

5. Squash Racquet Handle • Racquet handles vary in circumference and shape. • Handles are covered with leather synthetic or towel grips. • Strings come in a variety of materials.

6. Squash Ball • The size and properties of the squash ball make it less lively than racquetball. • The ball can come in four different types of varying speeds - black, green, blue, yellow dot. • The yellow dot ball is the slowest speed. • Non marking squash balls should be purchased.

7. Squash Safety • Racquet length increases risk for trauma • Stress racquet control • Lets like hinders in racquetball and handball are called to avoid injury. • Eye goggles & mouth guards recommended. • High follow-through on strokes avoids potential for contact. • Racquet should not move over 180 degrees.

8. Squash Serve • One foot must remain in service box during serve. • Service is from either box and alternates from box to box. One serve rule in effect. • Serve must land in opposite back quarter on first bounce. • Ball is tossed up and not bounced. • On serve ball cannot touch walls or floor prior to hitting front wall • Ball must contact wall above cut line • Ball can hit any wall after front wall

9. Squash Scoring • Game is 9 points. If an 8 - 8 tie, the first to 9 chooses to set the games at 2 points or "no-set". • Points can only be made on serve. • Match is the best of three or five games. • Spin of the racquet determines serve. • Return may be volleyed and returned before bounce (Shovel or carry is illegal). • All lines, other than the continuous boundary line and tell-tale are ignored after a legal serve.

10. Squash Let Shots • A let is an undecided stroke and is re-served. • If the ball hits an opponent after hitting the side wall and is going to the front it is a let. • However a ball hits your opponent on way to front wall it is your point or serve. • Rally ends if ball touches either player. • Unnecessary physical contact is discouraged.

11. Squash Service Faults • Foot fault • No/double strike • Ball 1st hits floor/side • Served below cut-line • Served on tell-tale • Hits server on return • Lands before short line • Lands in same half court • However if the ball is played the fault is ignored.

12. Squash Strategy • Watch the ball! • Watch opponent! • On serve foot-foe-wall-ball-T • Footwork is used to cut down the angles. • Keep the ball low and close to the side walls (tight shot) • This can be costly on racquets. • Play short at the front of the court. • Squash is not all a power game; vary speed and place the shots.

13. Squash T Strategy • The "T" is a good spot to attempt to gain control of the court. Dominate the T • Be in the ready position • Think of the court having a stripe in the middle to take your shots from. • Hedge to the ball and good position. • Note server to see ball location. • Pace ball differently, with different force. • Try to delay shots.

14. Squash Grip • Similar to all racquet sports • Racquet face perpendicular to the floor. • "V" shake hands grip is popular. • The "V" position on the inside edge of grip opens the racquet face slightly and aids in control. • One difference between the squash and badminton grip is there is about * 1/2 inch at the butt of the handle. • Trigger finger spread give good control

15. Common Squash Strokes • Serve • Forehand • Backhand • Drive • Volley • Lob • Drop • Cross Court • Boast

16. Squash Serves • Lob serve • The lob serve is preferred because it requires little energy. • backswing racquet with cocked wrist (Keep cocked) • hold ball ahead of body • Toss ball up ahead of left foot • aim for a target high on front wall • loft ball to back court • lob off centre near out-of-court-line • follow through high in serve direction

17. Hard Squash Serve • ball is served hard onto front wall just above the cut line to go directly at opponent or to side wall nick (corner) • racquet is held high in ready position • toss ahead of body • step forward • contact ball at shoulder height • Squash Volley Stroke • hit ball before bounce to go deep into backcourt. • sideways stance to side wall • quick backswing • step forward with lead foot • contact ball at shoulder height • punch through ball • follow through

18. Squash Drive Shot • A drive shot is one that is hit straight to the front wall near side wall to land in back court. • Drive is the most common squash stroke. • face sidewall with shoulders • high finish

19. Squash Forehand Drive • racquet head back over right shoulder • cocked wrist • bent elbow • step forward and face side wall as ball approaches • shift weight from back right to front left foot • drop elbow down and away from body as stroke is made • strike ball at left knee level • follow through in direction • maintain cocked wrist

20. Squash Strokes Actions • The swing of a squash stroke is more vertical than horizontal (tennis) with the racquet staying closer to the body. • A squash stroke unlike racquetball and badminton does not require a good deal of wrist action. • Wrist remains cocked like in tennis. • Squash is fundamentally a sideways game since the stroke position is sideways stance.

21. Squash Backhand Drive • step toward side wall with weight shifting front left to right foot. • swing racquet head in a flat arc • strike ball ahead of right knee • follow through so that racquet head points to front wall

22. Squash Lob Shot • like lob serve • not a power shot • low racquet position • low body position • contact ball ahead of front foot • high follow through

23. Squash Drop Shot • attacking shot moves opponent forward • played short to front corners of court • lower follow through than drive • position feet so that the line drawn between toes is in the direction of shot • watch ball • hit ball opposite front foot • hit through ball with a slower swing • guide ball to corner & follow through

24. Squash Boast Shot • Boast is a defensive shot from the back corners when ball is too close to back wall. • Play a boast by hitting ball upward into side wall at a 45 degree angle. • angle boast from forecourt • offensive boast from mid court • defensive boast from back court